A dog will warn you that you are in danger and that he/she is upset. There are numerous clues in the dog’s body language. And these warning signs are very obvious, if you are aware of the dog’s body language communication. Here are some of the signs of danger:
- the set of the dog’s ears is back
- the legs are very stiff
- the body posture is very tense
- the fur on the back may be raised
- the dog may be showing its teeth
- there may be a growling
It is scary and it is also fascinating. One tends to stare and that is the worse thing to do. The staring is a challenge to the dog and it may heighten the aggressiveness and volatility of the situation.
The best thing to do is to freeze. Stop whatever you are doing. Do not run. Do not scream. Slowly look away from the dog. Hopefully, that will turn off the aggressive display.
[On a personal note, it seems from my limited experience with biting dogs that they lick their lips immediately before striking. I cannot find any documentation for this. Perhaps it is just a coincidence - I would be interested if anyone has had this experience or has seen this documented and reported anywhere else. Thanks!]
Catherine
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